unit 8- govt of latin america

1. NationalNational
GovernmentsGovernments
in Latinin Latin
AmericaAmerica
Brazil, Mexico, & Cuba
Unit 8 Notes

2. Full Name: Federative Republic of Brazil
Federal republic: power is divided
between the central government &
state governments
Presidential democracy: citizens
elect president & members of the
legislature (Congress)
President is elected for a 4 yr term;4 yr term;
2 term limit2 term limit

4. BrazilBrazil
Citizens have many freedoms & they
also have the right to vote
Men & women who are 16 years of age
maymay choose to vote, and citizens 18-7018-70
are required by law to voteare required by law to vote
Citizens can choose representatives
from many political parties

5. BrazilBrazil
Country enjoys average level of freedomaverage level of freedom
compared to other countries in the world
Level of Personal Freedom = 59
(1 = most free, 159 = least free; World average is 57)
Scale examines freedom to travel & trade, protection of
personal property rights, freedom to conduct business, &
taxation level
US = 8
Personal property rights are not always protected,
and the court system cannot be trusted to help
people in all cases

6. Full Name: United Mexican States
Federal republic: power is divided
between the central government & state
governments
Presidential democracy: citizens elect
president who serves 1 six year term
Also elect members of the legislature
(Congress)

8. MexicoMexico
Citizens of Mexico have many freedoms,
and they also have the right to vote
Citizens who are 18 or older may choose
to vote
There are many political parties

9. Mexico
Country enjoys an average level of
freedom compared to other
countries in the world
Level of Personal Freedom = 52
(1 = most free, 159 = least free; World
average is 57)
Court system is managed by the
central government, and is not totally
independent of the president

10. Voting in Mexico

11. Full Name: Republic of Cuba
Unitary government: power
organized from a strong central
government controls each of the
smaller units in the country
Communist dictatorship: citizens
do not elect the president

12. Cuba
President is appointed by the National Assembly of
People’s Power (the legislature)
Citizens may vote for members of the National
Assembly of People’s Power, but only for candidates
approved by the Communist Party of Cuba(the only
political party allowed)
Communist Party controls the central government and all
aspects of smaller units of government

14. CubaCuba
Citizens have few freedoms
Men and women aged 16 and over may choose to
vote, but have few choices
Only one political party (Cuban Communist Party) is
allowed & it has been controlled by Fidel Castro and
his brother Raul since 1959

15. CubaCuba
One of the least free countries in the world
Level of Personal Freedom = 157
(1 = most free, 159 = least free; World average is
57)
Government controls nearly all aspects of life
There is little opportunity to own personal
property
Government is large and controls all
businesses, factories, & farms

16. Voting “Booth” in Cuba